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Family members (except your spouse and/or children) wishing to visit the US must apply for a “tourist” (B1/B2) visa at the U.S. embassy/consulate in their home countries.

WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD I PROVIDE MY FAMILY TO SUPPORT THEIR VISA APPLICATION PROCESS?

1. Letter from ISP

The U.S. Department of State (who issues visa) has this note about support letters: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant’s residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. (based) family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa. If you do choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors that we use in determining whether to issue or deny a nonimmigrant tourist visa.

However, if you would like a letter, ISP will print and sign a letter verifying your student status at Macalester and that your family members are coming to visit you. This is not a letter of invitation or support. The form below allows you to request a letter for up to two relatives. If you want to write letters for more relatives or request separate ones for each, feel free to fill out the form multiple times. Note that during busy times of the year, e.g., end of term or tax season, it may take us several weeks to produce the letter so plan accordingly.

The names of your family members who wish to visit and the purpose of their visit.

The duration of their visit.

If you are providing room and board or any other form of financial assistance, please be sure to state that as well.

3. Evidence of funding

If you are providing room and board or any other specific form of financial assistance, such as airfare, you should supply evidence of your source(s) of funding in the form of bank statements or letters from employers. Even though there is no set minimum amount required, it is recommended that you indicate a reasonable amount reflecting the level of support you are providing.

If your family members are funding the trip themselves, it is also recommended that they carry with them Bank statements, Employee verifications and/or other relevant documents to prove that they have sufficient funding for this trip.

4. Evidence of your (student) status in the US

You should provide your family members with a copy of your I-20 (or DS-2019 or J visas) and other relevant documents verifying your status in the U.S.

5. Evidence of family’s intent to return home

Your family members must prove that they will return home after visiting you in the U.S. So, it is recommended that they carry with them for their visa interview, documents showing employment, property ownership, enrollment in any educational institute.